Brain PREP in NYC
Postbaccalaureate Research & Education Program
Program Description:
Unsure of next steps? Taking a gap year? Come PREP with us and kickstart your future in science. The TC Brain PREP in NYC is a 6-week interdisciplinary research training experience for rising undergraduate seniors and recent college graduates interested in applying to master's or PhD programs in the biobehavioral sciences (Communication Science and Disorders, Movement Science, Neuroscience, and Psychology). The program will consist of:
- research experience in a TC lab;
- completing a signature graduate-level course; and
- attending weekly professional development workshops.
Through these experiences, you will gain insight into the scientific process and research methods, have opportunities for personal and professional growth, better understand the rigors of graduate study, and become a more competitive and confident applicant to graduate school.
Research Experience
Students are expected to participate in laboratory research throughout the program for a minimum of 10 hours per week (this does not include asynchronous orientation work or coursework). Students will be matched with participating research labs based on each student’s interests. As part of the application, students will select (and rank) their top two labs of interest. At the end of the program, students will give a brief presentation on their summer research experience and complete a short survey.
Signature Graduate-Level Course
The core curriculum consists of a bi-weekly graduate-level course taken during Summer Session A (May 21 - July 1) on Tuesday & Thursday 1:00pm – 3:00pm. The course titled Human Brain Imaging: An Interdisciplinary Perspective will introduce the theory of neuroimaging, history, select methodologies, and applications across various disciplines, including neuroscience and education, movement science, communication sciences, and psychology. Students will learn about common MRI and EEG measures and how they are used in research, engage with primary literature on a topic of personal/professional interest, and use this knowledge to refine an area of interest and develop an initial research question. Guest speakers from a variety of disciplines will present their scholarship and how they utilize neuroimaging to address important research questions related to education, health, and psychology. As part of the program, students will participate in a graduate-level course alongside enrolled degree students. Brain PREP students will complete the course on a Pass/Fail basis, allowing them to experience graduate study in a supportive and accessible way.
Professional Development Workshops
Throughout the summer research experience, students will attend weekly program meetings that may include workshops, talks, skill-building sessions, and social gatherings. These activities will help students prepare for future graduate study, including master’s or PhD programs, as well as careers in biomedical or psychological research. Topics and activities may include research ethics, inclusive STEM research practices, responsible conduct of research, scientific writing, research methods, graduate school application preparation, “A day in the life of a graduate student” panel discussion with TC students, journal clubs, career planning, professional networking, advice from professionals and our friends at TC NEXT.
Please Note: This course is NOT an advanced bioengineering/biophysics of Neuroimaging course, but rather an accessible, breadth course designed to increase neuroimaging literacy. View the Learning Objectives tab for course learning objectives.
For TC Students
For existing TC students interested in taking the 3-credit course BBS 5199: Human Brain Imaging: An Interdisciplinary Perspective, please click the tab below titled Existing TC Students.
Eligibility and Application Process
Eligibility
For the inaugural Brain PREP in NYC Program, we are accepting applications from individuals located in the tri-state region who are able to commute to our campus in Morningside Heights.
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a rising senior currently enrolled in an undergraduate institution, or have completed an undergraduate degree within the past two years (i.e., graduated in 2024 or later).
- Be authorized to reside and participate in the program in the United States. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or otherwise eligible to reside in the U.S. without requiring Teachers College visa sponsorship.
Application Requirements
The application consists of the following materials:
- Short demographic questionnaire,
- Cover letter,
- Personal statement,
- Resume/CV,
- Academic transcript(s),
- Short-answer question regarding mentor and lab placement preferences.
Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through May 1st, 2026. Decisions will be communicated as soon as your completed application is reviewed. Early submission is highly encouraged. Submitting early increases your chances of admission as there are limited spaces available. All decisions will be communicated by May 8th, 2026.
Required Documents
- Cover letter (1 page maximum; in PDF form)
- Personal Statement (600 words maximum; in PDF form)
Your personal statement should address:
- Your interest in the program
- Your academic and career goals
- Experiences or motivations that have shaped these goals
- How participation in the program support your future plans
- Any additional information you would like to share
- Resume/CV
- Academic Transcript(s) (in PDF form; official or unofficial)
Mentor and Lab Preferences: Applicants will be asked to identify their top two preferred mentors or labs through a short-answer question.
Selection Process
Individuals from all backgrounds, majors, and disciplines are highly encouraged and welcome to apply. We are looking for students interested in gaining research experience in the biobehavioral sciences and plan to pursue a career studying the brain.
This is a highly selective program. Priority will be given to applicants with clear research interests and an interest in pursuing graduate studies.
Only complete applications, including all required documents and forms submitted by the deadline will be reviewed.
Applicants who are accepted into the program will be required to pay a $399 program fee.
The program will run from May 21st to July 1st, with sessions held on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00–3:00pm EST.
For more information or questions: Email tcacademy@tc.columbia.edu
Existing TC Students
The Human Brain Imaging course can be taken for 3 credits in accordance with TC's enrollment policies. If you are not a current student and would like to take this course for credit, please review the Non-Degree Application Instructions page on our website and proceed accordingly. Also, please note that if you plan to take this on a for-credit basis, college tuition and fees will apply. If you are a continuing student in a degree program and have approval from your advisor, you can register for this course beginning on April 27th. The course will follow summer registration and payment deadlines.
BBS 5199.001 Iss: Human Brain Imaging
Special Topic: Human Brain Imaging: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Students will be introduced to the foundations of human brain imaging and its interdisciplinary applications. They will explore the history of neuroimaging, distinctions between structural and functional approaches, and core principles of brain organization, including basic anatomy, large-scale networks, and functional systems. Through guided analysis of research, students will gain a conceptual understanding of how neuroimaging studies are designed, interpreted, and applied. Emphasis is placed on what different imaging methods measure, the questions they can address, and their limitations in investigating brain–behavior relationships. Students will observe a TC imaging laboratory to better understand how neuroimaging research is conducted in practice.
Instructional Team: K Heffernan, L Levinson, J Ronderos
Summer Session A
Credits: 3
Tuesday & Thursday 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Course Fee: $150
Course Cap: 10
For more information or questions: Email tcacademy@tc.columbia.edu
Mentors and Labs
- Bernadine Gagnon, MS/CCC-SLP - Edward D. Mysak Clinic for Communication Disorders
- Andrew Gordon, PhD - Center for Cerebral Palsy Research
- Kevin Heffernan, PhD, FACSM - Applied Neurovascular Physiology Lab
- Kay James & Lisa Levinson, PhD - Neurocognition of Language Lab
- Gemma Moya-Gale, PhD/CCC-SLP - Communication, Technology & Language Diversity Lab
- Lori Quinn, PT, EdD, FAPTA - Neurorehabilitation Lab
- Juliana Ronderos, PhD - Bilingual Experience and Neurodevelopment Lab
- Michelle Troche, PhD/CCC-SLP, FASHA - Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction
- Sonya Troller-Renfree, PhD - Stroller Lab
Learning Objectives
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
- Explain the historical development of human brain imaging and distinguish structural vs. functional neuroimaging.
- Describe, at a conceptual level, how major neuroimaging modalities operate and what inferences they support.
- Interpret common neuroimaging outputs with appropriate caution regarding validity and confounds.
- Identify major neuroanatomical structures on MRI and relate structure to function.
- Critically synthesize neuroimaging research to extract central questions, methods, findings, and limitations.
- Evaluate neuroimaging claims in academic and public contexts.
- Apply ethical and equity-informed reasoning to neuroimaging research design and communication.
- Develop and justify a concise, methodologically coherent neuroimaging proposal.
- Reflect on how neuroimaging research connects to potential graduate pathways.
Upon Completion
Participants who successfully complete this program will earn a verified Certificate of Participation and an official Digital Badge—valuable credentials that showcase your commitment to professional growth and can be shared on LinkedIn or digital portfolios.
View our sample program badge and certificate below:
Important Notice: This is a non-credit program. Completion does not provide academic credit toward any degree program at Teachers College or other institutions. No transcript credit will be awarded.